Paris: The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has expressed deep concern over ongoing land acquisitions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), likening the scale to that of Hong Kong. These developments, following the revocation of the region’s special status in 2019, pose significant threats to the Kashmiri identity and human rights.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the FIDH’s 56-page report, “Your Land is Our Land – India’s land rights violations in Kashmir,” outlines the drastic changes in laws and policies that have escalated since 2019, enabling widespread expropriation of Kashmiri lands under the guise of removing illegal encroachments. This has sparked widespread fear of substantial human rights violations within the community.
The FIDH report indicates that these legal alterations have facilitated the forced eviction of thousands of Kashmiris from their homes, often without due process, breaching international human rights norms. Furthermore, the introduction of new laws by the Indian government now permits any Indian citizen to acquire land, seek employment, and participate in elections within Jammu and Kashmir.
This overhaul has intensified concerns among the local population regarding potential demographic changes perceived as a form of demographic aggression by many in the Muslim-majority region. In response to these fears, in January 2023, the IIOJK administration initiated a large-scale anti-encroachment drive to reclaim about 2.24 million kanals of land, an area roughly the size of Hong Kong.
The FIDH highlights that the recent policy shifts could not only disrupt the socio-demographic fabric of the region but also have profound implications for the socio-economic and political rights of its residents. The report also criticizes the proposed “Special Investment Corridor” in Srinagar, which aims to generate over a million jobs but might attract an influx of non-local residents, further impacting the demographic balance.
Moreover, changes in permanent residence certifications, land laws, and lease protocols under the JandK Reorganisation Act of 2019 could significantly influence the political landscape, potentially diluting the representation of Kashmiri Muslims. The FIDH has urged the Indian government to repeal restrictive laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Public Safety Act to restore democratic rights in the region.
This investigation involved consultations with academics, legal experts, and journalists throughout the first half of 2024, supplemented by a thorough review of media coverage and historical records.